Presented in 1928 by Disney, the original version of its mascot Mickey Mouse is finally free to roam wherever he pleases.
After fighting for as long as possible to retain one of its most valuable intellectual properties, Disney finally had to release the black and white Little Mouse. Only the version first seen in “ Steamboat Willie » now belongs to the public domain. A detail which still has a certain importance.
Mickey Mousse now sails in open waters
In 1928, Walt Disney and his teams presented Mickey for the first time, a mischievous mouse who would become the international mascot of the American giant. This version of the iconic character, from the short film “ Steamboat Willie », made the good resolution at the beginning of 2024 to enter the public domain.
This means that Disney can no longer invoke copyright protection for the use of this version in other works. A day undoubtedly reviled by the American giant, which worked hard to ensure that it arrived as late as possible.
Fortunately for Disney, this freedom stops exclusively at the use of Mickey in his black and white form. Later additions, such as the color of his outfit or his white gloves, still remain the one and only intellectual property of the big-eared American giant. It is also strictly prohibited for others to sell derivative products related to the short film. Steamboat Willie », Disney being able to invoke consumer deception.
Some people wasted no time in taming the little mouse
Despite these obvious limitations, it did not take long to see adaptations of the original Mickey sprout in themes that could make Walt Disney turn in his grave. As a reminder, Winnie the Pooh, which entered the public domain in 2022, appeared in the horror film “ Blood and Honey “.
The Little Mouse is following suit and has already aroused the interest of creators not lacking in horrific imagination. A video game called Infestation 88featuring a truly terrifying Mickey, is in fact already announced for 2024. See the result instead.
The original version of Mickey is not the only one from the Disney stables to have joined the public domain at the start of 2024. This is particularly the case with the first versions of Minnie and Tigger. One may well wonder what will go through the minds of imaginative minds to bring Mickey and Minnie to the stage in still unexplored genres…
Source : Center for the Study of the Public Domain
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